Downvalley

<b>Enterprise file photo</b>The ever-popular car crashing action of the Eagle Demolition Derby returns to the Eagle County Fairgrounds this Friday, Aug. 24. The gates open at 5 p.m. and the smashing action begins at 7 p.m. Tickets are $15 for adults and $11 for kids ages 6 to 12. Kids ages 5 and younger are free. The entry fee for cars is $1,000. For event rules and additional information visit www.backarooproductions.com.

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What's better than the biggest rummage sale in the valley? Half-price weekend at that very sale.

The Eagle Valley Community Fund Rummage Sale in Maloit Park continues this Saturday and Sunday, Aug. 25-26, with everything at half price.

The doors will open at 8 a.m. Saturday and Sunday, with 16 rooms filled to the brim with bargains galore. Shoppers will find rooms full of toys, house wares, electronics, clothing for the entire family, new items, ski and snowboard equipment and clothing, and a giant tent filled with furniture. The sale continues until 5 p.m. Saturday and 3 p.m. Sunday.

All proceeds of the sale benefit more than 65 local, non-profits. For more information, call (926) 0577, 827-9426 or check the website atwww.eaglevalleyrummagesale.com.

Volunteers for Outdoor Colorado will mark Colorado Land Conservation Week with a trail restoration project at Sylvan Lake State Park this weekend

A group of 40-50 volunteers will work together to construct 3/4 mile of new trail to connect Sylvan Lake State Park's Visitor Center to the 42-acre Sylvan Lake itself. Once completed, the new trail will be a family-friendly pedestrian and equestrian route for park visitors who seek an alternative to steeper, more intense hiking trails. The trail project includes stream crossings, bridge construction and interesting route sections.

Western Eagle Valley Rotary Club is hosting its first annual Trap Shooting Classic fund-raiser Sunday, Sept. 9, at the Gypsum Shooting Sports Club. The event is planned from 3 to 9 p.m.

A $100 per-person fee includes trap competition and a barbecue dinner. There is also a $25 ticket for anyone who just wants to attend and share the meal. The barbecue will be provided by Moe's Original Bar B Que.

Trap competition participants will receive 50 clays and 50 shells (12 gauge or 20 gauge). Scores will be broken into classes with winners in each shooting class. The winner and runner-up in each class will receive prizes. Proceeds go towards Western Eagle Valley Rotary's Charitable Projects

The event is sponsored by Alpine Bank, American Gypsum, 1st Bank, Bonfire Brewery, Moe's Original Bar B Que. For more information or to register, contact Chuck Zaruba at czaruba@hotmail.com or at (970) 328-5052.

The Eagle County Historical Society will host a presentation and social hour with Colorado historian and best-selling author Sandra Dallas at the Brush Creek Pavilion in Eagle on Thursday, Sept. 27. The event starts at 6 p.m. and includes a cash bar.

Tickets are available Sept. 1 at the Nearly Everything Store in Eagle and the Bookworm in Edwards. Cost is $25 in advance ($20 for ECHS members), $30 at the door or $200 for a table of 10.

The 2012 Vail Automotive Classic is gearing up to be the biggest and best yet.

The event hopes to attract more than 250 premium cars, airplanes and motorcycles for the show on Saturday, Sept. 8.

Registrants may enter by completing the auto online registration form or the aircraft online registration form, or by printing it and mailing or faxing to offices. The form can be found at www.vailautoshow.com.

The complete show schedule includes a barbecue and car auction Friday night at the Vail Valley Jet Center, Wheels and Wings show Saturday at the Vail Valley Jet Center, Saturday night cocktails and concert at Beaver Creek and the Vail Automotive Classic Show in Vail Village Sunday including People's Choice Award.

Early registration runs through Sept. 5. Vehicle fees are $50 for the first vehicle and $15 for each additional vehicle. Cars and motorcycles may also register the day of the Wheels and Wings show at the Vail Valley Jet Center on Saturday. Registrants should make checks payable to Vail Valley Concours, LLC. Online payment for registration is encouraged.

The car auction will feature approximately 12 cars being sold at both reserve and non-reserve prices. The special feature of the evening is a non-reserve 1995 Jaguar, which has been donated specifically to benefit Jack's Place at the Shaw Regional Cancer Center.

Each of the cars up for auction are being hand selected from various car collectors and automobile enthusiasts.

People from throughout the Eagle Valley and surrounding areas are invited to join the Out of the Darkness Community Walk Sept. 15.

The fund-raising walk supports the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention (AFSP) by helping to support local and national suicide prevention and awareness programs.

The Eagle Valley Out of the Darkness Walk is one of nearly 250 Out of the Darkness Community Walks (www.outofthedarkness.org) being held this fall nationwide. The walks are expected to unite more than 100,000 walkers nationally and raise more than $7.5 million for suicide prevention efforts.

"Much more needs to be done to prevent suicide. Yet, suicide and the underlying mental disorders that can sometimes lead to suicide continue to be surrounded by misinformation and stigma," said Erin Ivie. "This walk is about reducing that stigma, raising awareness and raising needed funds for research and local prevention programs."

The Eagle Valley community walk will begin at the Eagle Town Park at 9 a.m. and end at the same location at approximately 11 a.m. There will also be a Heartbeat Balloon Launch at 8:30 a.m.

It is estimated that close to 1 million Americans make a suicide attempt, more than 36,000 die by suicide, and more than 20 million suffer from depression each year.

"Every 15 minutes someone dies by suicide in the U.S," said Robert Gebbia, Executive Director for AFSP. "This fall, thousands will be walking to raise money for prevention and awareness, and offer hope to the millions of people who have lost a loved one to suicide or who battle personally with depression, bipolar illness, addiction and other mental illnesses".

Local sponsors for the Eagle Valley Out of the Darkness Community Walk include: Peaks of Excellence, Samaritan Counseling Center, US Bank, First Bank of Vail, Eagle Ranch Association, Eagle Sinclair, Archibeque Land Consulting Ltd. and Mountain Pedaler of Vail

• An Oktoberfest celebration is planned at the Lundgren Theater Park in Gypsum Saturday, Sept. 29, from 11 to 6 p.m. Festivities will include a 5K fun run/walk, games, vendors and live music with libations by Bonfire Brewing. Mark your calendars.

• Colorado State Patrol Women's Resource Network has partnered with Food Bank of the Rockies for a regional food drive that runs through Sept. 2. Items of need include paper towels, bath tissue, toiletries, canned goods and monetary donations. To make a donation in person, drop off items at a Colorado State Patrol Troop office. In Eagle, the office is located at 714 Castle Drive. To find other troop offices, visit www.csp.state.co.us and click on the tab labeled "Contact Us."

• With the start of the school year, fund-raising efforts are under way at various buildings and for various programs. As a shout-out to the Eagle Valley High School football program, Devils discount cards are available from any player and the $20 cost gives the buyer lots of discounts to local businesses and eateries.